Assigjtos



L'C. DONNELLY.

MACHINE FOR MAIUNGIJARD MATEHES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, I9I7.

i. C(UONNELLY. MACHINE FOR MAKING CABDMATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22| 19!].

Patented Aug. 19, 1919 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1,0. DONNELLY, MACHINE FDR MAKING CARD MATCHES,

APPUCATION FILED NOV. 22, I917.

Patented. Aug. 19, 1919.

qua

TSHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. C. DONNELLY.

FIIACHINE FQR MAKING CARD MATCHES.

APPLICATIOM FILED NOV. 22. I9!!- Patented Aug. 19, 1919,

7 SHEET$-SHEET 4.

5. (2. DONNELLY.

MACHINE F08 memes CARD MATCHES.

PPucAnom'mEu 010%.22, van.

j. C. DONNELLY. v MACHmE F08 MAKING CARD MATCHES.

APPUCATION HLED NOV. 22. I917.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

I SHEETS-SHEET 6.

1. c. DONNELLY. fACHINE FOR MAKING C ARD WATCHES.

APPLICATION FlbED NOV. 22.

Patenmi AW, 19,

7SHEETS-SHEET 7,

E: NK

JOSEPH C. DONNELLY, GE EA'ARBEETOIE (JHIG, Ti) THE 1 CONE MATCH QRATZIUH G13 ILL E ES.

[a CD EAGEINE FOR MAKINQ- GAE ZEJ WLQUEFCEUEJS.

31,313,4l'g1. ii; eeifieation of .epplicatien filed November To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, Josnrn C. DoNNnLLY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Barberton, in the county 01" Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain nee and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Card-Matches, of which the following is a specification.

lhis invention ielates to a machine for making card matehes, more especiallytliose that are adapted to be secured Within a boolelike cover; my object, primarily, being to provide a machine whereby such matches can be rapidly and efiiciently produced.

In the form of embodiment of my invention herein illustrated blank cards of match .stoek, such, for example, as thin Wood veneers either with or Without a covering of thin paper cemented thereto, are successively delivered to the ath of a reeiproeating element and thereby transferred, first, to cutting mechanism whereby each blank is partially severed transversely of its length to produce a row of alternatel staggered splints having a common connecting margin at one end, and whereby the card of spiints thus produced is delivered to a snitableoarrier and thereby transported through the usual dipping and drying path.

The invention comprises various novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will he hereinafter described and claimed; it being understood that While 1' shall point out the details or'the meehanisin illustrated, I do not restrietniyseli" thereto, as the apparatus may he variousl modified Without departing :t'ror the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings x Figure l is a plan of a cardqnatch niaohine embodying t 1e principle of my invention; the carrier chain being shown in section.

Fig. 1 is a plan, on a larger scale, of forward or delivery portion of the hopper showing the card positioning devises,

Fig. 2 isa longitudinal verticai ction of the machine, as on the line of I A. J. a "7 Letters retest,

"17 i a it eaten were are,

161?. aerial 1 1' o. RGiLZKsi",

3 is a ransverse vertical section on the line Z T1 i 1 J 1 n I r 1 8 is plain. 'n or splints as positioned the lelivery end or the transfer heed shown in 6i .i 9 is a section, on pl e card lifting arms of the so showing in plan the transfer head actuating earns thereon, the guide for said llfiiil, and edjnnets. h

10 1s a sectional detail of one end. oi the stripper, and the adiacent portions of the cutter and die meni e hovving the cutter members in their lip-stroke innnediately after their splint-forming action upon the card. in this view the relation'oi of the cams on the transfer head to the adjacent roller on the stripper indicated.

is a sectional detail of the lower portion of the card supply hopper, a portion of the transfer head, the spiint-forming mechanism and the stripper, said head being shown in its rearward or blank receiving position and the said mechanism being; at the completion oi its splint-forming action.

Fig, is a similar view, showing the transfer head partially advanced raise the oer and immennteiy engage the card of sprints preparatory to the transference of said eardto the carrier.

isa similar view, including a portion of the carrier chain, showing the transfer head in its extreme forward position with the card of splints i therehv into eardhoide W1. L 4.". -nn; to tile a suitable supporting frame; and 21a power shaft journaled in hearings in the frame. This shaft, similarly to the main shaft of a continuous match making machine, is provided with a positively-driven"gear Wheel 22 which is'adapted to be rendered fast or loose on the shaft by suitable clutch mechanism.

24 designates a secondary shaftalso journaled in bearings in the frame; and 25, 26

designate intermeshing gear wheels on the respective shafts. The gear wheel 25 is loose on the shaft, and the latter is provided with 'povv er shaft and the latter is positively driven the secondary shaft is actuated.

I Motion is transmitted through 'suitable'con- -its hearings in boxes in the frame.

nections from the secondary shaft to the various moving parts of the machine.

27 designates, an auxiliary shaft having I shaft is provided with a pinion 28 iIl'iIlGSh with the gear wheel 26 on the secondary shaft, andit is also provided with a hand wheel 29 whereby the shaft 27 and perforce, the secondary shaft can be readily turned, as occasion may require, when T the latter shaft is disconnected from the power shaft.

A designates a hopper or magazine adapted to support a stack of blank'cards as a, and feed them successively to a horizontally reciprocative transfer head B.

C designates splint-forming mechanism to the effective path of which the cards are individually delivered by the head and thereby partially slitted transversely of their length in order to produce in each card a row of alternately-staggered splints having acommon connecting or marginal portion. One of the cards thus produced is represented {in Fig. 8; a indicating the staggered splints, and a the marginal connecting portion therefor.

I) designates a portion of an intermittently movable carrier with which the mar ginal portions of the successive cards, after they have been acted upon by the splintforming' mechanism, are engaged at regular intervals through the instrumentality of the reciprocating head.

The hopper or magazine (A) herein illustrated comprises suitably-disposed upstanding rods 30 constituting supports for a stack of superposed blank cards. The rearward left-hand of Fig. 2) and end rods rise from a hingedly-mounted basal structure,.including a rear wall 31 having inwardly-extending end members 32, and also having depending bracket arms 33 which are pivoted to the spaced parallel portions 34: of a longitudinal guide structure supported on the This main frame. (See Figs. 1, 2 and-3). The

transfer head is mounted to reciprocate in guide ways in the parallel portions of the guide stru ure, so as to travel directly beneath the h pper and receive and withdraw the lowermost card, as will presently appear.

The rods 30 constituting the forward supports for the stack of cards rise from a stationary wall plate 35 adjacent the path *of the transfer head. This plate is provided with end lugs 36 which are bolted to thebody of the guide structure. On the inner side of the wall plate is a vertically adjusta'ble plate 37 the lower edge of which may be nicely set in spaced relation to the adjacard outlet portion, with a fixed stop 390 and a spring pressure finger 391, respectively, which are so arranged in spaced re l-ation to each other that as each lowermost card is being ejected from the hopper one end of the card is squarely pressed against the stop by the action of the spring against the opposite end thereof; thusinsuring the accurate positioningof the respective cards regardless of slight variations in their lengths. In the present instance the stop and finger are formed on bracket members which are secured to the wall plate ofthe hopper. v

Afiixed to the pivoted basal wall of the hopper are two spaced hook-like arms 40 which extend horizontally beneath the hopper, and below the. upper surface of the transfer head when the hopper is in upright position, thus permitting the delivery. of the cards to the head. When, however, the pivoted hopper is swung rearward the arms 40 impinge against the bottom of the stack of cards and bodily raise the stack above the path of the transfer head, thus permitting the head to reciprocate idly. The arms are freely movalhle through longitudinal slots in the transfer head, as shown. Bythe con struction described the feeding of the cards from the hopper to the transfer head can be discontinued by and at the will of the attendant without the otherwise necessity of stopping the operation of the entire machine.

The transfer head (B) in its referred construction, includes two suitab-y-spaced side members 41 connected at their rearward end by a cross-member 42. The side members are slightly fitted to parallel guide ways nosed Tcmcket e9,

equal in Width in the iongitmiin a geicie structure on ishe supporting heme, and the cross-mums? 4:2 has afiixed shereto o, "oreckec which supports a 1 otei link irame 4L5 conneecim heed. with. upper end of an upsue lever 4-6. The lever? which pwoeeo. to o.

the limit of its rearward movement. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 3.) i

Fixed upon the "frame structure ii, &2,

lozwitudiamily ch-erect 211165. in spacer peralielfi reieizion to sec-h other, are 2i series sf com fzerpert. home-011ml bars 52 the tops of which bars and. the intervening; spaces being 62 04 01 substantially so, to the Widch a IHZL'i-Oh spiinfiz. The ZBQLIWQA'CZL c1165 oi? "the bars are provideei wick siepending iugs 53 which me sceacci in s ece pamliei grooves the tep of he oer oit are hele the frame structure emi thereto by clamp-hers se'wmee sire cola-1 3i to the respective sides of the be! To in suite the positive locking of the series 52 the iiigs thereof are prei embiy provided in them x 'eit-iceieuges with grooves 55 x on goes 5% formed on the inner mp bars The upper compises chi-ere step iiizte 8, 59 respectively, (iescemimg oessivei rearward to the iicrwerc i ex of die cmiisiier head. The reefe s/1'21 and. midciie surfaces each exceed in lengibi'i the Widthof a card, and the length of the forward or lowermost surface is iess time that of card. lihe drop of the mitidic surface below the reei'werei surface is slightly less than the thickziess of e match card and the drop of the rioiwsri surface beliow the middle surface is slightly greetei than the thickness of s cei'ci.

A. relatively-thin seccionei cross-bar 8G flush with sa d ajscemfi the reerweri SL1?- fece of the assembled bars extends across the intermediate surface 58 of the bass so as to present an abutment or shouioiei" 61- a the coniiguous Ifia'fWfil'fi: edge of the lcwefi most card oi" the stack when such iiicermeiiisurface is brought. beneath i318 Yosppew and in position. to receive the sail-d5 ilblltfflfli) or shoulder, in the succeeding forwei'ai iimoveme'nc of the titeiisi'er hesqi Eyesiiliveiy advances 'ousiy out card and pushes it toward and into engagement with the carrier D, as below described. comparatively thin sectional cross-bar 62 flush with the intermediate surface she heed. extends across the forward. or lowermost surface of the assembled. cars; we edge of the bar $2 being provideci with lip or ledge 63 which overhangs the adjacent surface of the bar 52. The forwsi'd. ends of the assembled bal'sEQ are beveieci 3E seperc-ci as shown so as to insure their free entry ioetween the staggered splints of. a eel-ii (luring the stroke of the transfer heed. tewei'ii the carrier D The under incline-a1 surfaces of the forward nose sorsions oi the bars 52 are prcvi-iedwith 64; in or about the same Vertical plane as the upper lips 63 which upper and lower lips are designed snugly to engage the free ends of the adj scent splints respectively thi-oughout the length of the card, during the forward stroke of the transfer head, and thus, in conjunccion with the interposed fol"- Werti portions of the bars 52, efiect and ininmin the {iris and' sfiesci advancement of ibhe card of splints towers. the carrier in such manner as engage the leading 01 fmei'g is} portion of zhe card efficiently with (See Figs. 12 end 1 a) in the succeeding back stroke of the Hens fer head it. recedes from the care ofsplints "$2111.15 posiel-one 'i in the cerrier end returns the hopper in position to receive e sue co bienk thereii'rom While the transfer heed is in thus retracted position tiie biani; g'srevious y positioned at thespiinfc mechanism. is seized upon 'hy the letter,

iii cede so prevent theretrogrecie move:

meet of file pcsimoneci card. With'the receding tree v 1 i s rearward fi-fligjeof she card is gelcvldsdi in the instance this stog) comezis a a like i ie-ite cowhide overhe the L1 D 1 1 iss sfiiirieci to "bile forca flee hopper moi the oeher or were Waii free edge the e mchm 7'; misc ylehiing ouch fiiee edge cont; at with file mid hemi.

thus-permits the advancement of a, case} 111- i-he forward moveiirien; of the Emcee, and yet assumes a position in rear of tiiecer deposit-ed at the cutting mechanism so as to prevent rearward Fiji-"Q e1 ehe card with the head .7 i

it is be 'be noterlihst each of the items 60, 62- is Ina-(1e in seccions; siie adjacent ends WheI'QOf are siightiysepeii'ebmi s s shame in order to eveiai oiishiructicii those slots of heme, e suitebie stopfor,

the transfer head into which the hopper arms l0 extend.

The splint-forming rnechamsm, in its pre- {ferred construction, includes oomplemem tary upper and lower cutting and die structures respectively, between which the blanks are successively delivered from the hopper by the transfer head.

The lower or die structure comprises a row of spaced counterpart bars 66 arranged in parallelism with and in alternation with the bars of thetransfer head,-whereby during the reciprocation of the said head the bars thereof pass freely through the spaces between the adjacent die bars and clear therefrom all deposits of dust and waste n'iaterial. An undercut lip 67 formed at the forward inclined end of each bar 52 facilie tates the clearing operation.

The upper edges of'the bars and the intcrvening spaces of the stationary die meml of the die structure ture the bars and spaces whereof overlie and ber similarly to the bars and spaces of the transfer head, are each-equal in Width; or substantially so, to the width of a match splint. These die bars, similarly to the lugs of the bars 52, are seated in parallel grooves formed in a bar 68 which is bolted to a suit ablywlisposed cross-bar 69 of the main irainc, and are rigidly held in place by clamp plates 70 which are bolted to the respective sides of the grooved bar 68; the said die bars being provided in their vertical edges with grooves 66 which receive tongues 70 formed on the inner sides of the clamp plates 70. v

The upper or cutting structure comprises a series of cutter bars 71 having inclined cutting edges. These cutter bars alternate with the die bars 66 and correspond substan'tially inwidth with the alternate spaces into cutting relation with the per edges of the die bars. The cutter bars 71 are rigidly atlixe d to a vertically reciprocative cross-head 7'2, preferahly'in the same way that the die bars are secured to the frame-bar 68. This head is i'nountcd in and respective u p v between pair of guide standards 73 on the main frame. 'lhrough the body of the head shaft 74:, the ends of the in the standards '73 and being connected by means of rods 75 with the sti'aps of eccentries 76 on the secondary shaft.

77 designates a horizontal gricblike struccorrespond in number and position with the bars and spaces of'the die member. This grid structure is supported between the standards '73 in any suitable manner so as to have capacity for limited vertical movement in relation to the underlying die memher. In the present instance lirraclcets 78, afiixed to the standards, engage the corners so as to be reciproca'ble vertical guides forthe grid the grid structure. The relation of the cam bars to the rollers is such that as the transfer head approaches the limit of its forward stroke the said bars pass beneath and impinge against. th'ei ollers, thereby bodily ii ft ing the grid structure and maintaining it in spaced parallel rlation to the die member until the card of splints has been introduced to the earner. In the rearward stroke of the transfer head, preparatory to its interval of rest, the cam bars recede from therollersand thus permit the gridv structure to drop and so rest upon'the blank previously moved upon the die member. Itis to be here noted that in the forward stroke of the transfer head the blank taken'thereby from the hop.- per is advanced slightly path ofthe cutter bars,

cutter bars. While the blank is thus posi tione'd and when the transfer head is atrest the cutter head isver-tically reciprocated.

In their, downward beyond the vertical but that in the rear--' ward movement of thehead this blank is stroke the cutter" bars pass into the spaces of. the grid structure and sever the opposing portions of the card, the inclined acting edges of the cutter bars gradually depressing I the splints. as they arh being formed, below the splint material which rests on the bars of the die structural"? thus formed in the card in staggered relation to each other, thatis, the lower row inclines below the upper row, as seen in Fig. 10.

The cutter head is provided adjacent its ends with plungers 81 which are normally projected below" the head by the action of compression springs 82 confined within suit ably-disposed sockets in the cutter head, These plungers impinge against blocks 83 at the respective ends of the grid structure as the cutter head descends in its cutting =-;troke;, the springs, by their compression permitting the active travel of the cutters and yet insuring ample pressure upon the end blocks of the grid structure.

The grid structure performs the function of a stripper to card of splints by and with the cutter bars during the upward movement of the latter;

unsupported Two rows of splints are prevent, the lifting of the the upper N W 0f spiin'ts he fifiilifll} 0f the sprmgyprcsscd pnn'igcrs. on the blocks CGDF" sing; mam "he cufizccl bars have been. cnwrci wit-licimwi'z frcm thc 1m- J dcriymg css-ci.

The slcics cit tcc par n prclcrcbiy shaccd 1:0

itudinsi i 2. ledges adsccn c1? 11 3 Thcsc (4 J i L ledges consnw'cc cutting and we reccsscci portions below inc smnc cficrci clears-11cc spaces in rcciucc the f v ms of sclinfis anti the (iclc and a tats the advancement cf the nictc l'a. cc the, Cfi ltlifjl'.

Lonflisuciinai channels crc prciembiy formed in tic rcs'ccctivc siciss cf the cciiicic bars so as to 1 c the friction bctwccn tbs contacting sun-(1c ciic bars,

respective f jams sc overhang disc c :16 transfers in the spams Zsctwccn .jici. shruc tum and; this carrier; and thus pycscnt an cvcriying gcicic surface to the card cf it is "i" 5;.

are brought succcsslv path 01" the margins c1 tins car s cf spiin'ts as such cards mcsd by 1311s 'ansifcr head. gins 03% is succcssivs are thus mcvcd mm cftiic hcidcrs, and when he cra'csfs Z rcti'sctcfii, such '2 new 1 cards; with chair sccggcrcci sgpiicic proj acting outwardly, remain in the mars-Pier and are thereby transpcrtcd cm ugh tins machine for fireman ens in i'ans usual mama. 1:

In the fcrm of car-sic represented thc links are rcvidcd with tccinh 89 with Whichmss '1 pin-ions 99 on a ii'cnsvcrsc shaft 91 having its bcmings in boxes in the main frame. 811 this shaft 91 is a bevel gem wheel 9% which mcshcs with a similar whee? 93 on the upper cm? cc? an inclincci shc'i't 9% whim carries at its icwer and s, pin Whcci in gear with an appropriate cam Wheel 96 on the scccnai'y shaft 2%, whereby ducthe operation of the latter the rcquisits stcp-by-sicp movement is imparted to the: carrier,

Card matches produce? dcscriccr may be divided iniic a scrie-s cf unij lcrm far cssccici-icc Wii'i suitcbic ccvcrs as dcscribcci, fcr example in Fatcnfi: Na. 1,042,4Z2, dated October 29th, 191%,

In the weH-kncwn match bccks cf com melcc csch book contains two supcrpcscci card sections having can matches each, chc

cormspenfi'ing matchcs cf each section being placed fiatwzsc in clcsc 'rclcticn izc ccch. nth-c1; sc as tc provide a, compact cnci shapely package" Tihis necessitates such 2% divisicn cf the card, thac the outermost cmi matches of each sccticn are in dificrcni; planes, c1? stcggcrctii Tc prcducc match cards which may cs prcperiy divided as cnci for the purpcsc mcnticncd, I prcvic Ycicnizs each cf which is cf siightiy grcaitcf length khan is required for the division of the samc incc sis: scccicns ccntaining scan matchcs each, Dariu the siittin c aeration the c11 ccss at 011s end; 055 the blank (6, e,

file end acted upon by the prcsscc mcmbcc the hcppcr) is rcmcvcci by an auxiliary and cutter-c car $1? 01': tbs Mac; 72 which cuc car is cimiicc ccnstrccfiicn cc chc other cutter bars, but is 01 mater sag-ac m trim the cm} of the ca 97, is scpporcsc. ugccn the prcfiiimctc bar of thc dis sncmbcr, wiiiic c119 cppcsitc chi splint-015cm card is cm", aimi dcgxrcsscd by the overlying" emi catfish." baccif the scrics; or, in ether wcrcis, each cf Tchc cards is tbs scms icngch cnci the cuccrmcsc end spiims cf chc card arc in dificrcnt horizcnici lanes.

While 1 have herein iiiuscrcizcd cm ic scribed the scmrcc c1? card supply as c 310p c cr mcgczmc fur a stcck cf prcpcccfi blacks; igf-XEUTYLGES with cam-sin stuck time cazrc'is cs-sacccssivciy cut ram 2, com; caucus rail and mtccmlttcnciy prcscntcd "'50 the 11mm? head when she icttcz" is cc ifhc limit 022 i 32 rearward scrckc.

I cisim 1. 3521 a match machine the ccmbil'mticn wi i a scarce of ms supply, fiifliii spiin'i- :50 izing s'pcccd, therefrom c0mprising ccmpiemcntary emitter and fiic clcmeats each inciuciing a. series of bar mam bars in spaccci pm'cilci rciscicn tc ccch cthcr, cf s iamnsfcr 'hccd having a1cngitudinaiiy sicti'cd car upporting" s1irfacc,mccns for reciprcca-iing said head in a path between the scurcc of, cam supply an the splinc forming mechanism, whereby in each forwci'. stroke cf cilc head the saidsurfacc izhcreof receives a card and transfers it to and bcibwecn tbs said cutter and die elements cf the splint-farming mechanism, means for prcvcming displacement of the car& during the rearward stroke of the transfer had, and means for actuating said spiinc-fcrming mechanism when the transfer hccci is rctracted thcrcfrcm. I a

2. a macch mcchmc, the ccmcmatlcn with a scarce cf card supply, a traveling cam and means for actuatin when the transfer head 15 retracted thererier spaced therefrom, and splint-forming mechanism between said source of supply and carrier, said mechanism comprising complementary cutter and die elements each including a. series of bar members in spaced Jarallcl relation to each-otl'ier, of a transfer head having a forward portion adapted to engage a slitted match card and introduce it to the carrier, and having in rear of said portion a longitudmally-slotted card-supporting surface, means for reciprocating said head in a path between the source of card supply and the splint-formin mechanism, whereby in each forward stro (e ofthe head the said surface thereof'jgeceives a card and transfers it to and between thecutterand die elements of the splint-forming mechanism, and at the same time a previously-csitioned card at said mechanism is intro need to the carrier by the forward or leading portion of the transfer'head, means for preventing displ'acementof the card at the splint-foiming'mechanism during the rearward stroke of the transfer head, said mechanism from. i

3. In a match machine,the coQ' bination with a traveling carrier having card-holding means, and means for partially slitting a card and producing thereln staggered splints having a common connecting portion at one end, of a reciprocative element having a portion adaptedto extend between'and engage the separated free ends of the splints, and means for reciprocating said element whereby-the card of splints is advanced to,

and its splint-connecting portion is engaged with, the card-holding means of the carrier. 40

4. In: a match machine, they combination with a traveling carrier having card holders, means for partially slitting a card. and

producing therein staggered splints havinv a common connecting-portion at one en d5 of a reciprocative element having a tapering portion adaptedto extend between the-separated free ends of the splints and having v alsoupper'and lower lips adapted to engage the ends of theadjacent splints, a'ndmeans for reciprocating said element whereby the card of splints is advanced to, and its splintconnecting portion is engaged with, the cardholdlng" means of the carrier. r

5. in a match nachine, the-combination with splint-forming mechanism, and a reci i rocative head for feeding cards-successive y thereto, of a clamp element movable upon and from the card, at said mechanism, and

means operable by the 'movement of said head for actuating "said clamp element.

6. in a. match machine, the combination with splint-forming mechanisms-and .a' rec pr ocative head for fecdin cards succesvteiy thereto, of a clamp e ement movable upon and from the card at said mechanism,

said element having cam-engaging portions,-

and cam bars on the said head arranged to impinge'against and recede from said portions during'the reciprocation of the head and thus control the position 'oftlie clamp element in relation to the card.

7. In a match'machine, the con'ibination of splint forming mechanism comprising relatively movable cuttcrand'die elements,

each including a series of bar members in;

spaced relation to each other, a card clamping element arranged between the cutter and die elements,'.a reciprocative head including a longitudinally slotted 'card-s'upportlng and feeding portion the spaced members of which are movable between the bars of the Qdie element and beneath the clamping element, and means whereby said'clamping elemcht is moved toward and from the dieelement at predetermined intervals during the;

travel of said head.

. 8. In a match machine, the combination of splint-forming mechanism comprising relatively movable cutter I and die elements, each including a series of bar members in spaced relation to each other, a vertically movable grid structure superposed on the die element and having bars and spaces corof spaced bars with which the cutter bars co-act, a Vertically-movable grid structure supported on the die element and having bars and spaces corresponding with those of th6 d16' element, a reciprocative head in-- eluding a longitudinally slotted cardsupporting and feeding portion the spaced members of which are movable between the bars of the 'die element and beneath the grid structure, and means whereby said grid structure is, raised and permitted to fall at predetermined intervals during the travel of the card-feeding head, together with yielding pressure means between the first-named head and the grid structure.

, 10. 'The combination withiapsource 03f [card supply, splint-forming mechanism, and a carrier, all arranged in'the order named in spaced relation to each other. of a horizontal transfer head having thereon three ste M like cardsuppertmg surfaces arranged in I card-supply,

descending order from the source of supply, means for reciprocating said head between the source of supply and the carrier, and means for actuating said splint-forming mechanism at predetermined intervals With v respect to the travel of the head.

v11. The combination with a source of splint-forming mechanism for slitting a card and producing therein staggered splints having a common connecting portion at one end, and a carrier, all arranged in the order named, of a hori ontal transfer head having thereon three step like card-supporting surfaces arranged in descending order from the source of supply,

, the lowermost surface extending to the for-- her.

ward end of the head and said end being shaped to provide a tapering nose portion, means for reciprocating said head between the source of supply and the carrier, and means for actuating" said splint-forming mechanism at predetermined intervals with respect to the travel of the head.

12. The combination with a source of card-supply, splint-forming mechanism, and a carrier, all arranged in the order named in spaced relation to each other, of a. horizontal tnnsfer head having thereon three step-like card-supporting surfaces arranged in descending order from the source oi. supply. means for reciprocating said head between the source of supply and the carrier, means for actuating said. splint forming mechanism. at )lCClOlJGl'llllElGd intervals with respect to the travel of the head, a clamp member movable upon and from a card positioned by the head'at the splinti orniing n'lecl'ianism, and means for raising the said member durin, the forward stroke of the head and permitting its descent during the rearward stroke of the head.

153, in a match machine, the combination with a traveling carrier having cardholding means, of splint-forming mechanism comprising relatively movable cutter and die im-mbcrs, each including a series of bars in spaced relation to each other, the bars of {he movable member having inclined acting ion; a reciprocative head for feeding cards laciu'icn the gutter and die members and 5 delivering the cards When out to the can'tholding means oi the carrier, a clamp member mo xuble upon and from the card at th spliutiorming mechanism, and means tor periodically actuating said clamp momin a match machine, the combination with a. source of card supply, and spl1ntface comprising a fOTll'llllQ; mechanism spaced therefrom c0mprising complementary cutter and die elc ments, each. including a series of bars in spaced parallel relation to each other, of a transfer head having a card-supporting surseries of spaced bars arranged to slide in and longitudinally of the spaces between the die bars, whereby the bars of the transfer head act as clcarers for the spaces of the die member, means for reciprocating said head in a path between the source of card supply and the splint-form ing mechanism, whereby in each forward stroke of the head the upper surface thereof receives a card and transfers it to and bctween the said cutter and die elements of the splint-forming mechanism, means for preventing displacement of the card during the rearward stroke of the transfer head, and means for actuating said splint-forming mechanism When the head is retracted. therefrom.

15. In amatch machine, splint forming mechanism for slitting a card and producin therein stag 'ere'd splints having a common marginal connecting portion, said mechauism comprising a reciprocative head carrying a series of spaced cutter bars having inclined cutting edges, said bars excepting one of the end bars of the series being of less length than the Width of the card, and said end bar being of a length at least equal to the width of the card. and a stationary die clement having a series of spaced bars with. ivl'mvh the cutter bars coact.

16. In a match machine, the combination with a support, and a card-supply hopper hinged at its lower portion to said support having arms which underlie the hopper, of s 'ilint-i'orming mechanism spaced horizontally from thc hopper, and a rcciprocative head for transferring the successive cards from the hopper to said mechanism, said head having therein longitudinal ways for the hopper arms.

17. In a match machine, the combination With a card supply hopper havingan out let portion for single cards, and a fixed stop and a pressure member adjacent the respective edges of the outlet, of splint forming mechanism spaced horizontally from the hopper and having: a supplemental trimming portion for that end of the card acted upon by the pressure member, and a rccipro cative head for transferring the successive cards "from the hopper to said mechanism.

JOSEPH C. DON N ELLY. 

